On February 2nd, the day of Setsubun in 2025, a memorial service to ward off misfortune, the "Tsuina-shiki Onihoraku," was held at Rosanji Temple in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City. A large number of worshippers watched as three demons, symbolizing the worldly desires of greed, anger, and stupidity, were defeated.
A little after 3pm, a goma fire was lit in the temple grounds and the prayer began. As drums and conch shells rang out, a red demon carrying a torch and sword, a blue demon carrying an axe, and a black demon holding a hammer appeared in slow movements. The demons went onto a special stage adjacent to the temple and brandished their swords and other weapons before entering the hall and dancing around the monks. However, they gradually became weaker due to the power of the ritual and fled in agony.
The memorial service is known as "Oni Odori," a reference to the story of how Genshin Shonin, who founded Rosanji Temple, is said to have defeated a demon about 1,000 years ago.
